LONDON, April 1 (Reuters) - European shares started the
quarter with gains on Wednesday, after data showed manufacturing
activity across the euro zone accelerated faster than previously
estimated last month.

Markit's final March manufacturing Purchasing Managers'
Index (PMI) reached a 10-month high of 52.2, beating a
preliminary reading of 51.9 to provide another sign the bloc's
economy is recovering.

Banks were the biggest winners, with the STOXX Europe 600
banks sub-index up 1.1 percent. Spanish banks Popular
, Banco de Sabadell and Bankia rose
2.1 to 2.8 percent.

"Spain in general looks rather good, and recent data been
coming in better than expected," said Markus Huber, sales trader
at Peregrine & Black. "Banks look increasingly attractive,
because they have a lot of catching up to do."
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